As we learned in The Matrix, pretty much anything is possible in the digital world. So for the latest edition of the Gran Turismo racing game series—GT6, which drops December 6th—Mercedes-Benz created a one-off futuristic super sports car concept called the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo that will only ever be driven in the virtual realm. But because the end result was so dope, they went ahead and made a real-life version anyway.

Designed to resemble both the famous 300SL of the 1950s and the current-day SLS AMG, the AMG Vision Gran Turismo has the long hood, slammed lines, pumped fenders and fluid curves guaranteed to set any red-blooded car lover’s heart alight—especially when they see the gullwing doors pop open. Under the hood lies AMG’s twin-turbo 5.5 liter V8, producing the same 577 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque as in the 2014 E63 AMG S-Model and spitting out dulcet tones through no fewer than eight exhaust pipes. Extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum keep the AMG Vision Gran Turismo’s weight down to 3,053 pounds.

Now, odds are good nobody’ll ever push the one-off, million-dollar concept car as hard as a car with those kind of figures deserves to be pushed. (Considering it seems to have all of one inch of ground clearance, we doubt it’ll ever roll into double-digit speeds at all.) But in the game, that should translate to some serious performance. We’ll never be able to buy one for real, sadly, but we hope some of the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo Concept’s style makes it onto the SLS AMG’s replacement, which is likely due out next year. [Shout-out to Mercedes-Benz!]

Press Blast:

November 17, 2013 – Stuttgart

For the new PlayStation® 3 racing game Gran Turismo® 6, the Mercedes-Benz designers have developed the visionary concept of a super sports car – the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo. Extreme proportions, sensual contours and intelligently implemented high tech blend to form a body that visually brings to life the breathtaking performance of 577 hp (430 kW) and 590 lb-ft of torque. As a 1:1-scale model, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo is celebrating its world premiere on November 19, 2013 at the opening of the new Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Center in Sunnyvale, California. The super sports car with its hallmark Mercedes gullwing doors will be taking to the virtual racetrack when the new racing game goes on sale in December 2013 – as the first of the “Vision Gran Turismo” series of vehicles.

To mark the 15th birthday of the popular Gran Turismo® series this year, Kazunori Yamauchi, Producer of Gran Turismo series and President of Polyphony Digital Inc., called upon the world’s leading automotive manufacturers and design studios to look forward into the future. Using the theme “Vision Gran Turismo”, these creative teams were to develop concept models which give a unique insight into the further development of the automobile. As virtual vehicles that nonetheless function just like a real car, the visionary concepts will be gradually unveiled in and integrated into the new game Gran Turismo® 6 through online updates.

The sports car proportions that are a typical Mercedes feature have been reinterpreted: the long hood has a flowing transition into a compact greenhouse offset to the rear, which takes the form of an aerodynamically efficient water drop to descend slightly at the rear, where it rests on the rear end with broad shoulder contours. The dynamic aura is accentuated by an extended, dramatic side contour and a pronounced bulge to the wheel arches, which blend into the low-slung, muscular bodyshell. The angled headlights, with their color scheme and determined look, convey a sense of sportiness and readiness to leap forward. This impression is reinforced by the hood with its expressive forms and motorsport details, such as the release catches on the hood and the fuel cap, for example. The red-glowing contour lines on the lower part of the vehicle create an effect similar to that of exterior ambient lighting and stand out from the silver-painted bodywork. This makes the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo look even more aggressive.

Another eye-catching feature is the radiator grille – a reinterpretation of the wide Mercedes-Benz sports car grille with central star. Its shape is reminiscent of the legendary 300SL racing car of 1952. However, instead of classic louvres the grille of the show car features exclusively LEDs. The variable LED grille with different light patterns is a further development of the diamond grille introduced with the new CLA-Class.

Purist interior dedicated to speed

The exterior design, which is systematically and passionately geared to motor racing, is congenially mirrored in the interior of the two-seater. Inspired by the Formula 1 cockpit, the red integral sports seats blend into the black flooring of the footwell to form a protective shell. The form of this flowing, sculptured shell suggests enormous forward thrust. The dashboard also creates an equally dynamic effect. It has been designed in the form of two gullwing doors which are positioned on each side of the steering column. As a result the actual doors themselves appear to be an extension of the instrument panel.

The central display is optimally positioned in the driver’s field of vision: it takes the form of a glass surface floating directly above the racing steering wheel with its shift paddles, and shows all the relevant information such as road speed, engine speed and operating temperature as required. Operation is by rocker switches in the center of the dashboard and in an overhead console, like in a jet. The steering column visibly penetrates the firewall to the engine compartment, creating a visual connection between the driver and the heart of this super sports car, the AMG V8 front-mid engine.

Intelligent lightweight construction and authentic racing car sound

The AMG V8 biturbo engine delivers an exceptionally agile response to even the smallest movements of the accelerator. It develops 577 hp (430 kW) and a maximum torque of 590 lb-ft. With an aluminium spaceframe body and components in carbon fiber, the material of choice in motor racing, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo tips the scales at only 3053 pounds. That amounts to around 5.2 lbs per hp – an unrivalled figure in the super sports car segment, and one that guarantees exceptionally dynamic performance. Excellent deceleration values and fade resistance at the highest level are ensured by the AMG ceramic high-performance composite braking system. The AMG sports exhaust system with eight tailpipes integrated into the rear end provides a powerful accompaniment whenever the car accelerates, and ensures an unrivalled motorsports sound experience. For fans of Gran Turismo® 6, the Mercedes-AMG sound specialists have created a powerful, sonorous exhaust note that authentically celebrates the V8’s love of high engine speeds.